Each year our crew plans for a fly-in fishing trip to Ontario, Canada. We have done this for many years. This trip requires that I write one or two columns ahead of time to insure continued weekly coverage while gone. Well, it’s that time of year again and my brother Roman and I should have just returned from the 725-mile trip from our Wilderness Air fly-in at Vermillion Bay, Ontario. The dust will have hardly settled but now I need time to write a couple of fly-in fishing reports to let the readers find out about the trip and view a few pictures.

First, just a little background. Our fishing crew has decreased from four to two this summer, it is just my brother Roman and me. The Lohr brothers, Don and Frank, were unable to join us this summer and that required a major adjustment to the trip plans. Rather than fishing one of the large 800 acre lakes, such as Conver or Confusion Lakes, or the huge wilderness Lake MacDowell that is 25 miles long and 5 miles wide, we picked the smaller 450-acre Portal Lake, a decent size that we could row back to the cabin if the motor stopped. We’ll have no second boat as a back-up or to tow us back to the cabin.

Because of age, drive time, distance and limited drivers, we will take two nights and 1 and a half days to drive 725 miles each way and limit our fishing to five full days rather than the normal seven. We’ll spend a little more time being tourists and just a little less time fishing.

HOW TO BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY

The following is a list of ideas recently published as eco-friendly suggestions by the Maywood Environmental Park. Some items you may likely add to your daily environmental activities (in an attempt to be more eco-friendly).

Here is a list of suggestions people may wish to consider as part of a change in their lifestyle (to be more eco-friendly). Some are simple while others may require some modification of your household life style (and routine). If interested, start by picking out things you find might be most enjoyable and you would wish to try. Who knows, you may get a few neighbors to join you once you show them how easy it is and the positive results. Below is the “How to Be More Eco-Friendly List."

1. Grow your own food. Something like tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers can be grown near or next to the house or at the edge of your flower garden - those plants can be very productive (in this area). The local library, University of Wisconsin – Extension, or the Internet can be a great resource to show you how to grow produce.

2. Install a rain barrel (used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops through gutters. They make use of rain water for later use, reduce water main use for economic or environmental reasons and help with self-sufficiency)

3. Add some clover to your lawn and the small flowers will provide food for bees.

4. Start a compost bin or pile.

5. Make your yard bee friendly by not using chemical applications - flowering trees, including fruit trees, are also options to consider.

6. Shop at locally owned co-ops and farmer’s markets.

7. Buy organic when you can.

8. Walk or bike on errands whenever possible and maybe try parking on the far end of a shopping lot for exercise.

9. Take reusable bags to the store.

10. Review the recycling rules for your community and try to recycle everything you can.

11. Check on when the Sheboygan County Planning and Conservation Department will hold a hazardous waste recycling event nearby, that telephone number is: 920-459-3060.

12. Recycle old clothing into crafts or cleaning rags. If the items are still of good quality, donating them to the Salvation Army or other such organizations can provide items to others in need.

14. Line dry your laundry if possible - sheets dried outside provide a wonderful freshness to the bed and bedroom.

15. Wash your clothing in cold water whenever possible.

16. Install aerators on your water faucets to reduce water consumption.

17. Take shorter showers - it’s better for your skin.

18. Invest in a programmable thermostat and save on your heating bill.

19. Plant trees in your yard in places that will help keep your house cool in summer and warmer in winter.

20. Carry a reusable water bottle.

21. Unsubscribe from or cancel junk mail and catalogs.

22. Carpool to work and events.

23. Unplug “vampire appliances” that use electricity even when not in use.

24. Repair items rather than buying new. My wife recently had six of the old family dining room chairs fixed by an expert and she did not buy a new dining room table set - that saved us a good deal of money.

25. Buy locally made products and keep area people working.

Maywood’s Eco-Friendly ideas come from a list of over 50 suggestions they distributed this year to Maywood members and public. Hope these ideas are helpful. Remember, many ideas require little or no work. (These tips can help you) save money or maybe help provide some food for your family.

UPCOMING NATURE EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Camp Y-Koda, W3340 Sunset Road, Sheboygan Falls. Meetings are open to the public. DNR staff will be available to answer questions. Camp Y-Koda is located about two miles west of Sheboygan Falls along Highway 23/Sunset Road.

GREENWING DAY - Ducks Unlimited (DU) volunteers (who volunteer for DU Varsity-high school, Ducks University-collegiate and local fundraising chapters who support DU's conservation mission) are offering a special outdoor youth day called "Greenwing Day" at Camp Y-Koda on Saturday, Aug. 19. Registration is at 7:15 a.m. and program starts at 8 a.m. It is for youth 11-17 years of age. Youth attending will learn about hunting safety, dog training, duck and goose calling, build a wood duck house, likely meet a DNR warden, enjoy a noon meal and receive some nice items to take home, including a free drawing for a Greenwing shotgun. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. Cost per youth is $15 and $5 for the accompanying adult for lunch. Location: Camp Y-Koda W3340 Sunset Road Sheboygan Falls. Camp Y-Koda is located along Highway 23, about two miles west of Sheboygan Falls. Those who have questions should call Jeff Gorr, Greenwing Chair, at 920-452-2049.

SHEBOYGAN COHO DERBY - The annual Sheboygan Coho Derby will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12 and 13. Tickets and rules for the event can be obtained at The Wharf. The Sheboygan Coho Derby is sponsored by The Wharf and local merchants. Prizes for the top lake trout, rainbow, brown, coho and chinook salmon will be provided. Leading fish will be listed on a leader board. Food and refreshments will be available throughout the two-day event. Location: The Wharf, 733 Riverfront Drive, Sheboygan. Questions can be directed to Grace and Jeff Brown at The Wharf at 920-458-4406.

FUN FACT

WHITETAIL DEER AND THEIR ANTLERS - Have you ever wondered why whitetail deer lose their antlers each year? After the rut of when deer are done mating in October and November, there is a slow loss of male hormones with the decrease in the daylight hours. As winter progresses, the horns will fall and will not begin to grown again until April. In gaining new antlers, a soft hairy skin called velvet begins to grow to supply blood to the new antlers, which can grow as much as a 1/4 inch per day.

Jim Baumgart is a wildlife, outdoor and conservation news enthusiast. Send your outdoor news at least 10 days prior to the event to Jim Baumgart, 722 North 26th St. Sheboygan, WI 53081, or email: jimcob@bytehead.com.